Champions League Team of the Week – Alisson, Odegaard, Pedri | OneFootball

Our Champions League Team of the Week following the first legs of the last-16 ties, featuring Liverpool’s unbeatable goalkeeper and Arsenal’s orchestrator.

Goalkeeper: Alisson – Liverpool

Unbeatable.

Liverpool were forced to cling on at the Parc des Princes as Paris Saint-Germain turned the screw, but the home side found the visiting goalkeeper in immense form.

Alisson made nine saves, the joint-most on record by a goalkeeper in a Champions League knockout stage game. Liverpool’s number one is not always busy enough to display his brilliance, but here it was in all its glory.

Right-back: Federico Valverde – Real Madrid

Federico Valverde might be the best right-back in the world and it’s not even his natural position. Then Uruguayan was exceptional against Atletico Madrid, assisting the opener with a wonderfully weighted pass for Rodrygo. At the other end, he made some crucial interventions. What a footballer.

Centre-back: Ronald Araujo – Barcelona

On as a substitute after Pau Cubarsi’s early red card, Araujo helped Barcelona defy the odds to secure a first-leg lead at Benfica. He racked up seven clearances and blocked four shots as the 10 men snatched a priceless result in Lisbon. Question marks remain over his suitability to Hansi Flick’s style, but as an out-and-out defender Araujo is top class. This was the sort of scenario in which he thrives.

Centre-back: Tyrone Mings – Aston Villa

Back in the side and excelling with his box defending. Mings made seven clearances and won 100% of his defensive duels at Club Brugge (3/3) as Villa took a 3-1 lead back to Birmingham. An astonishing clearance stopped Hans Vanaken and Brugge from taking the lead with the game in the balance.

Left-back: Riccardo Calafiori – Arsenal

On as a substitute in the first half against PSV Eindhoven, the Italian enjoyed himself as Arsenal ran riot at The Philips Stadion. He slipped in Leandro Trossard to score as Arsenal raced out of the blocks after half-time and got on the scoresheet late on with a well-timed run and striker’s finish.

Midfield: Pedri – Barcelona

Absolutely everywhere.

Pedri bossed Benfica despite Barcelona being at a man disadvantage, covering over 13km and regaining possession more times than anyone else (11) in the Champions League this week. The composure, quality and leadership of the Spanish schemer were on show, with this season fast becoming the campaign that the 22-year-old transforms from starlet to star. He’s irreplaceable to Hansi Flick, who acknowledged as much with an embrace at full-time.

Midfield: Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich’s bid to reclaim their dominance in Germany stepped up a level after thrashing Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in their all-Bundesliga tie. Joshua Kimmich was central to an impressive performance from the Bavarians, who blew apart their compatriots.

Kimmich’s distribution was elite, completing 10/12 long passes, with his raking balls out to Michael Olise a feature of Bayern’s forward threat. If he is to leave as a free agent this summer, Bayern will face a huge task to replace him.

Midfield: Martin Odegaard – Arsenal

When Arsenal are firing on all cylinders, Martin Odegaard is often involved and that was the case at PSV Eindhoven. A fine night’s work for the Norwegian, who roamed freely between lines as the Gunnners hit seven on the road. He turned in a rebound for the fourth before notching a second with a drive from distance that deceived Walter Benitez. A cutting pass to assist Riccardo Calafiori completed a wonderful display.

Forward: Ethan Nwaneri – Arsenal

The third-youngest goalscorer in Champions League history for an English club.

Ethan Nwaneri’s star is firmly on the rise and the 17-year-old again proved he’s already ready for the big stage. The teenager ghosted into the box to slam home Arsenal’s second at PSV Eindhoven and was a constant thorn in the host’s side throughout. Hale End has produced some top talent in recent years and Nwaneri is right up there.

Forward: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Paris Saint-Germain

Liverpool couldn’t touch him.

It’s some effort to make our Team of the Week as a forward in a losing – and goalless – side but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s performance suggested there’s plenty for PSG to get excited about. The Georgian glided around the Parc des Princes, toying with Liverpool on occasion. Only a fractional offside denied him a brilliant goal, while he was a menace all night. There was a collective sigh of relief from the Reds when Luis Enrique brought a premature end to his evening. If there’s such thing as a €70m bargain, he might be it.

Forward: Harry Kane – Bayern Munich

Harry Kane is closing in on the honours that have eluded him. Bayern Munich sent a statement with a big win over Bayer Leverkusen to put one foot in the quarter-finals.

Kane bagged a brace in Munich, opening the scoring with a towering header before slamming home his second from the penalty spot.

Since Kane signed for Bayern, no player in Europe’s top five leagues has scored more goals (75) or Champions League goals (17). His nine this season are also a record for an Englishman in a single campaign the Champions League era.

Read – Champions League Awards: Alisson saves, Impregnable Inter

See more – Lizbeth Ovalle has scored the best goal you will see all year

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